JP4583586B2

JP4583586B2 - Branch connector

Info

Publication number: JP4583586B2
Application number: JP2000370640A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 啓之佐伯
Original assignee: 株式会社ケーブイケー
Priority date: 2000-12-05
Filing date: 2000-12-05
Publication date: 2010-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-05
Also published as: JP2002173963A; AU1503001A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本各発明は、湯水混合水栓の水栓本体と、水道配管の端末部との間に介在される分岐接続具に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
湯水混合水栓においては、その水栓本体に給湯を行う湯側の連絡流路若しくは給水を行う水側の連絡流路に分岐流路を設け、この分岐流路によって、食器洗浄乾燥機、浄水器等の水栓関連機器に給湯若しくは給水を行うことがある。例えば、図３に示すように、水栓本体１１の湯側及び水側の各接続口１２、１３と、湯側及び水側の各水道配管の端末部６ａ、６ｂとの間に、支持接続具６１、６２を介在させる湯水混合水栓１０において、水栓本体１１の一方の接続口１２（１３）と、一方の支持接続具６１（６２）との間に分岐継手７０を付加し、他方の接続口１３（１２）と、他方の支持接続具６２（６１）との間に直管継手７５（所謂、アダプター）を付加することがある。そして、分岐継手７０の一側方に設けられた分岐接続口７１に、水栓関連機器との間に介在される導管８０の基端部を接続することが行われている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ここで、水栓関連機器の設置位置は、台所、洗面所、浴室等の湯水混合水栓の設置個所の状況や、使用者の好み等に応じて選択されるのが一般的である。例えば、図３に示す流し台５において、水栓本体１１の右側方の箇所５ａにしか空きスペースがなく、水栓関連機器（図示を省略）をこの空きスペースに設置することが必要となることがある。
【０００４】
しかし、図例の場合には、左側に位置する湯側に分岐継手７０が付加されており、しかも、分岐接続口７１が水栓関連機器の設置部位とは逆方向を指向している。このため、導管８０の基端部側を反転状に湾曲させて分岐接続口７１に接続すると共に、この導管８０を、図示一点鎖線Ｄに示すように、水側の支持接続具６２や直管継手７５等との干渉を回避しつつ、水栓本体１１の下方等を煩雑に引き回し、前記右側方の箇所５ａに到達させることが必要である。従って、例えば、水栓本体１１の下方等に導管８０の中間部が垂れ下がり、湯水混合水栓１０の設置個所の美観を大きく損なう。また、分岐継手７０と直管継手７５とで１セットの分岐接続具を構成するため、独立した部品の点数が多く、搬送、保管、梱包等の取り扱いが煩雑である。
【０００５】
尚、この種の分岐継手７０では、全体を回転させて上記分岐接続口７１を別方向に指向させることは可能である（図３の一点鎖線の分岐接続口７２を参照）。この場合には、分岐接続口７２を水栓関連機器の設置部位に指向させることにより、導管８０を大きく湾曲させることなく引き回すことができるが、この導管８０を、水側の支持接続具６２や直管継手７５等との干渉を回避しつつ、前記右側方の箇所５ａに到達させることが必要である点で変わりがない。
【０００６】
また、この種の分岐継手７０では、図３に示すように、導管８０との間に止水栓８１が介在されることがある。そして、水栓関連機器を指向する分岐接続口７２を用いる場合には、分岐継手７０と、直管継手７５との間の空き空間に止水栓８１を配置することが必要となる。しかし、この空き空間は狭く、しかも、水栓本体１１の背後に存在するため、止水栓８１を配置すること自体が困難であったり、仮に配置できたとしても、止水栓８１の円滑な操作性を確保できないことがある。
【０００７】
本各発明はこのような実状に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的とするところは、水栓関連機器への導管により湯水混合水栓の設置個所の美観を大きく損ねることが無く、また、搬送、保管、梱包等の取り扱いが容易で、しかも、導管との間に止水栓を支障無く配置することができる分岐接続具を提供することである。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
先ず、請求項１の発明は、「湯水混合水栓の水栓本体と、水道配管の端末部との間に介在される分岐接続具であって、前記水栓本体に給湯を行う湯側の連絡流路を備える湯側継手部と、前記水栓本体に給水を行う水側の連絡流路を備える水側継手部と、を一体的に設け、湯側の連絡流路若しくは水側の連絡流路の一方に分岐流路を設けると共に、湯側継手部及び水側継手部の双方に、前記分岐流路の解放部を構成する分岐接続口を設けたことを特徴とする分岐接続具」である。
【０００９】
本発明では、分岐流路を分岐接続具外に解放する解放部、即ち、分岐接続口が、湯側継手部及び水側継手部の双方に設けられる。このため、水栓関連機器が水栓本体の周囲の何れの位置に設置されても、この水栓関連機器と分岐接続具とを、導管を煩雑に引き回すことなく接続できる。即ち、水栓関連機器の設置個所側の継手部の分岐接続口に対して、導管の基端部を接続すれば、この導管と他方の継手部等との干渉を考慮する必要が無いため、この導管を水栓本体の周囲で煩雑に引き回す必要はない。また、このように、水栓関連機器の設置個所側の継手部に導管を接続可能なため、導管の全長を短くできる。従って、湯水混合水栓の設置個所の美観を導管により大きく損ねることはない。
【００１０】
また、本分岐接続具では、湯側継手部と水側継手部とが一体的に設けられて全体として１つの物品となるため、独立した部品の点数が少なく、搬送、保管、梱包等の取り扱いが容易となる。尚、本発明においては、湯側継手部と水側継手部とを、鋳造や射出成型により１物品として一体に設けても、各々別体に形成された複数の部品を一体化して１物品としてもよい。さらに、本分岐接続具では、分岐接続口と導管の基端部との間に止水栓を介在させる場合に、この止水栓を両継手部間に配置する必要がないため、この止水栓の配置作業が容易であると共に、この止水栓の円滑な操作性を確実に確保できる。
【００１１】
ここで、本分岐接続具の接続対象となる「水栓関連機器」としては、例えば、食器洗浄乾燥機、食器洗浄機、洗濯機、水処理器等を例示できる。尚、この水処理器には、（１）水側の水道配管の端末部から供給される水道水中より、「カルキ分」等の不要成分や、塩素、トリハロメタン等の有害成分を除去して浄水とする等の浄化処理を行う「浄水器」、（２）同様な水道水をアルカリイオン水や酸性イオン水に変換処理したり、硬水や軟水に変換処理する「水質変換器」、（３）同様な水道水にミネラル分等の有益な成分を添加処理する「成分添加器」、（４）浄水器、水質変換器若しくは成分添加器のうちの少なくとの２種の機能を備えるもの等を例示できる。
【００１２】
次に、請求項２の発明は、「湯側継手部に設けられた分岐接続口を反水側継手部側に指向させ、水側継手部に設けられた分岐接続口を反湯側継手部側に指向させたことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の分岐接続具」である。
【００１３】
請求項２の発明の分岐接続具は、湯側継手部側或いは水側継手部側に水栓関連機器を設置する場合に、特に好適に用いられる。即ち、請求項１の発明では、湯側継手部の分岐接続口や水側継手部の分岐接続口の指向する方向を限定しないが、各分岐接続口が上方向や下方向等に指向する場合には、側方に水栓関連機器を設置しようとすると、導管を湾曲させて引き回したり、流路を屈曲させるエルボ等の接続具を介在させたりしなければならない。
【００１４】
これに対して請求項２の発明では、一方の継手部に設けられる分岐接続口が他方の継手部の反対方向を指向するため、水栓関連機器の設置部位の方向に指向する分岐接続口を用いれば、導管を湾曲させたり、エルボ等の接続具を介在させることなく、分岐接続口と水栓関連機器とを導管を介して接続できる。
【００１５】
次に、請求項３の発明は、「前記水栓本体と前記水道配管の端末部との間には、水栓本体と水道配管の端末部とを連絡すると共に水栓本体を支持する支持接続具が配置され、該支持接続具と水栓本体との間に介在されることを特徴とする請求項１又は請求項２の何れかに記載の分岐接続具」である。
【００１６】
請求項１又は２の発明では、水道配管の端末部に接続される態様の分岐接続具を包含する。しかし、この態様では、既設の湯水混合水栓に分岐接続具を後付けする際に、次のような問題を生ずる。一般に、水道配管の端末部と他の部材との接続には、シールテープを介するテーパーネジの螺着といった煩雑な作業を要し、配管の専門業者等による専門的な作業が必要となる。
【００１７】
一方、水栓本体及び支持接続具の接続は、袋ナットや公知のワンタッチ継手等を用いた簡易な作業によって行われる。よって、本発明のように、分岐接続具を水栓本体と支持接続具との間に介在させることとすると、簡易な作業により分岐接続具を接続することができる。従って、作業者が、専門業者以外の一般人であっても、分岐接続具を簡単に後付けすることができる。尚、請求項３の発明における「支持接続具」については、止水栓を備えたものとするのが望ましい。止水栓を備えた支持接続具であれば、分岐接続具の後付けの際に、わざわざ、水道配管の元の止水栓を操作する必要がないからである。
【００１８】
最後に、請求項４の発明は、「前記湯側継手部と水側継手部との間に前記分岐流路を構成する連結管を介在させ、湯側継手部若しくは水側継手部の少なくとも一方を該連結管の軸心に沿って摺動自在としたことを特徴とする請求項１から請求項３の何れかに記載の分岐接続具」である。
【００１９】
一般に、水栓本体に設けられる湯側の接続口と水側の接続口とのピッチや、湯側及び水側の水道配管の端末間のピッチは、湯水混合水栓の種類や、水道配管の施工状態によって区々である。これに対して、請求項４の発明では、連結管に対して湯側継手部若しくは水側継手部を摺動させて湯側継手部と水側継手部との間隔を調節すれば、多様なピッチに対応させることができる。
【００２０】
【発明の実施の形態】
次に、図１及び２を用いて本各発明に係る分岐接続具２０の一具体例を説明する。この分岐接続具２０は、流し台上方の壁面２に設置された湯水混合水栓１０に適用されるものであり、この湯水混合水栓１０は、単一の操作部１４により駆動される弁装置（図示を省略）を内蔵する水栓本体１１を備えている。そして、この水栓本体１１は、湯側及び水側の一対の水道配管の端末部６ａ、６ｂに対して、湯側及び水側の一対の支持接続具６１、６２と、本分岐接続具２０と、を介在させた状態にて接続されている。
【００２１】
尚、各端末部６ａ、６ｂには平行雌ネジが刻設され、各支持接続具６１、６２の基端側の接続口６３、６４にはテーパー雄ネジが刻設されている。また、各端末部６ａ、６ｂに対する各支持接続具６１、６２の接続固定は、シールテープを介するテーパーネジの螺着により行われている。さらに、各支持接続具６１、６２は、止水栓６６、６６を備えている。そして、本分岐接続具２０は、請求項３の発明に従い、水栓本体１１と、各支持接続具６１、６２との間に介在されている。但し、請求項３以外の各発明においては、各端末部６ａ、６ｂと各支持接続具６１、６２との間に、本分岐接続具２０を接続することもできる。
【００２２】
水栓本体１１の背面には、湯側の接続口１２及び水側の接続口１３が設けられ、これらの接続口１２、１３には、袋ナット１５、１６が回動可能に装着されている。
【００２３】
本分岐接続具２０は、直管状に構成された連結管４１と、連結管４１の一端部４３側に対して連結管４１の軸心に沿って摺動自在な状態に外嵌された湯側継手部２１と、連結管４１の他端部４４側に対して固着状態で外嵌された水側継手部３１と、を備えている。
【００２４】
湯側及び水側の各継手部２１、３１は、例えば、同一形状の鋳物等で構成される母材に対し、細部において異なる加工を各々施してなるものであり、何れの継手部２１、３１も、背面、前面、及び両側面の四面に開放部を設けている。即ち、湯側継手部２１では、背面に湯流入口２２、前面に湯流出口２３、一側面に第１の分岐接続口２４、他側面に連結口２５が夫々設けられている。また、湯流入口２２には、袋ナット２６が回動可能に装着され、湯流出口２３及び第１の分岐接続口２４には、各々雌ネジが刻設されている。さらに、連結口２５の端部側には、外面から内面に貫通するネジ孔２７が設けられている。一方、水側継手部３１では、背面に水流入口３２、前面に水流出口３３、一側面に第２の分岐接続口３４、他側面に連結口３５が夫々設けられている。また、水流入口３２には、袋ナット３６が回動可能に装着され、水流出口３３及び第２の分岐接続口３４には、各々雌ネジが刻設され、連結口３５には、雌ネジ３８が刻設されている。
【００２５】
本分岐接続具２０では、湯側継手部２１と水側継手部３１とが、連結口２５、３５同士を対向させた状態で、連結管４１を用いて一体化されている。即ち、連結管４１の一端部４３は、連結口２５を通じて湯側継手部２１内に挿嵌されている。この際、この一端部４３側の外周面と、湯側継手部２１の内壁面との間の水密性は、Ｏリング等のシール部材４５によって確保されている。また、連結管４１の一端部４３側の外周面には、凹部４７が設けられ、この凹部４７内には、ネジ孔２７に螺合された止めネジ２８の先端部が到達されている。この止めネジ２８により、湯側継手部２１の摺動範囲が規制されると共に、湯側継手部２１からの連結管４１の抜けが防止される。
【００２６】
一方、連結管４１の他端部４４は、連結口３５を通じて水側継手部３１内に挿嵌されると共に、連結管４１の雄ネジ４８を、水側継手部３１の連結口３５内の雌ネジ３８に螺合して固着状態とされている。但し、請求項４の発明においては、水側継手部３１を連結管４１の軸心に沿って摺動自在としてもよいし、湯側及び水側継手部２１、３１の双方を連結管４１の軸心に沿って摺動自在としてもよい。
【００２７】
この他端部４４の水側継手部３１への挿嵌に際しても、この他端部４４側の外周面と、水側継手部３１の内壁面との間の水密性が、Ｏリング等のシール部材４６によって確保されている。また、連結管４１の他端部４４は、水側継手部３１の内部空間を連結管４１内の空間部分と連結管４１外の空間部分とに区画するように、水側継手部３１の連絡流路５２を貫通して奧端側迄、挿入されて、水側継手部３１に設けられた各接続口（３２〜３４）のうちで、第２の分岐接続口３４のみと連通されている。
【００２８】
次に、本分岐接続具２０の流路構成を説明する。湯側の水道配管の端末部６ａから供給される湯を水栓本体１１に給湯するための湯側の連絡流路５１は、図１の破線Ａに示すように、湯流入口２２を始端部とし、湯流出口２３を終端部とする状態に形成されている。また、水側の水道配管の端末部６ｂから供給される水を水栓本体１１に給水するための水側の連絡流路５２は、図１の図示一点鎖線Ｂに示すように、水流入口３２を始端部とし、水流出口３３を終端部とする状態に形成されている。さらに、湯側の連絡流路５１は、図１の図示二点鎖線Ｃに示すように、分岐接続具２０の両側方に分岐する分岐流路５３を備えている。そして、この分岐流路５３は、図２に示すように、第１の分岐接続口２４を通じて本分岐接続具２０の一側方に開放される第１の経路５４と、連結管４１の内部空間及び第２の分岐接続口３４を通じて本分岐接続具２０の他側方に開放される第２の経路５５とを備えている。
【００２９】
尚、本各発明においては、本例とは異なり、水側の連絡流路５２に分岐流路を設けることもできる。この場合には、例えば、分岐接続具２０の上下を反転させて、湯側継手部２１を水側に配置してこれを水側継手部とし、水側継手部３１を湯側に配置してこれを湯側継手部とすればよい。
【００３０】
本分岐接続具２０では、湯流入口２２及び水流入口３２が、各袋ナット２６、３７を用いて、湯側及び水側の各支持接続具６１、６２の端末側の接続口６７、６８に接続される。また、湯流出口２３及び水流出口３３が、各袋ナット１５、１６を用いて、水栓本体１１の各接続口１２、１３に接続され、分岐接続具２０は、水栓本体１１と支持接続具６１、６２との間に介在される。
【００３１】
尚、この介在作業の際には、水栓本体１１の両接続口１２、１３間のピッチに対して、湯流出口２３及び水流出口３３間のピッチを整合させることが必要である。このため、本分岐接続具２０では、湯側継手部２１を連結管４１の軸心に沿って摺動させることにより、湯側継手部２１と水側継手部３１との間隔を調節して、湯流出口２３及び水流出口３３の間のピッチが調節される。また、この分岐接続具２０の介在作業の際には、各支持接続具６１、６２の止水栓６６、６６に閉弁操作が施される。
【００３２】
この分岐接続具２０によって、水栓本体１１の一側方（図例では左側方）に設置される水栓関連機器（例えば、食器洗浄乾燥機等）に給湯を行う場合には、図１に示すように、導管８０の基端部を第１の分岐接続口２４に接続し、この導管８０の端末部を、水栓関連機器に接続すればよい。このとき、導管８０には、必要に応じて止水栓８１が配置される。また、不使用状態とされる第２の分岐接続口３４には、封止キャップ８２等が、シール部材（図示を省略）を介して水密状に装着される。
【００３３】
一方、水栓本体１１の他側方（図例では右側方）に設置される水栓関連機器に給湯を行う場合には、第２の分岐接続口３４に導管８０の基端部が接続され、第１の分岐接続口２４に封止キャップ８２等が水密状に装着される。但し、水栓本体１１の両側方に各々水栓関連機器を設置し、第１の分岐接続口２４と水栓本体１１の一側方に設置される水栓関連機器とを導管８０を介して接続すると共に、第２の分岐接続口３４と水栓本体１１の他側方に設置される水栓関連機器とを、他の導管８０を介して接続することもできる。
【００３４】
尚、本例の分岐接続具２０等のように、一見した外観では分岐される流路の判別が困難な形態では、例えば、図１に示すように、本分岐接続具２０の湯側の接続口（即ち、湯流入口２２、湯流出口２３、第１の分岐接続口２４、第２の分岐接続口３４）と、水側の接続口（即ち、水流入口３２、水流出口３３）とに、形状・色彩若しくは模様のうちの少なくと何れかが異なる印８５、８６を付したり、湯側の接続口若しくは水側の接続口の一方のみに所定の印を付したり、或いは、矢印や線図等により流路方向を表示する等して、分岐がなされる流路を明示するのが好ましい。
【００３５】
本各発明では、前述のように、水側継手部３１若しくは湯側継手部２１の内部空間を、水側若しくは湯側の連絡流路（５１又は５２）と分岐流路５３とに区画することが必要である。このためには、図２に示すように、連絡流路（５１又は５２）に連結管４１（他端部４４）を貫通させて、この連結管４１により内部空間を区画するに限らず、水側継手部３１若しくは湯側継手部２１の内部に別途の隔壁を設けて連絡流路（５１又は５２）と分岐流路５３とを区画してもよい。また、本各発明は、本例と異なり、壁面２以外の面（例えば、デッキ面）に配置された湯水混合水栓にも適用することができる。
【００３６】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本各発明によると、水栓関連機器への導管により湯水混合水栓の設置個所の美観を大きく損ねることが無く、また、搬送、保管、梱包等の取り扱いが容易で、しかも、導管との間に止水栓を支障無く配置することができる分岐接続具が得られる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本各発明に係る分岐接続具の一例を示す概略的な平面図である。
【図２】図１の１−１縦断面図である。
【図３】従来例を説明するための概略的な平面図である。
【符号の説明】
２；壁面、５；流し台、５ａ；右側方の箇所、６ａ、６ｂ；水道配管の端末部、１０；湯水混合水栓、１１；水栓本体、１２、１３；接続口、１４；操作部、１５、１６；袋ナット、２０；分岐接続具、２１；湯側継手部、２２；湯流入口、２３；湯流出口、２４；第１の分岐接続口、２５；連結口、２６；袋ナット、２７；ネジ孔、２８；止めネジ、３１；水側継手部、３２；水流入口、３３；水流出口、３４；第２の分岐接続口、３５；連結口、３６；袋ナット、３８；雌ネジ、４１；連結管、４３；一端部、４４；他端部、４５、４６；シール部材、４７；凹部、４８；雄ネジ、５１；湯側の連絡流路、５２；水側の連絡流路、５３；分岐流路、５４；第１の経路、５５；第２の経路、６１、６２；支持接続具、６３、６４；基端側の接続口、６６；止水栓、６７、６８；端末側の接続口、７０；分岐継手、７１；分岐接続口、７２；他の分岐接続口、７５；直管継手、８０：導管、８１；止水栓、８２；封止キャップ、８５、８６；印。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a branch connector interposed between a faucet body of a hot and cold water mixing faucet and a terminal part of a water pipe.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the hot and cold water mixing faucet, a branch channel is provided in the hot water side communication channel for supplying hot water to the faucet body or the water side communication channel for supplying water. Hot water or water may be supplied to faucet-related equipment such as pots. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, between the hot water side and water side connection ports 12 and 13 of the faucet body 11 and the terminal portions 6a and 6b of the hot water side and water side water pipes, a support connection is provided. In the hot and cold water mixing faucet 10 with the fixtures 61 and 62 interposed, a branch joint 70 is added between one connection port 12 (13) of the faucet body 11 and one support connection 61 (62), and the other A straight pipe joint 75 (so-called adapter) may be added between the connection port 13 (12) and the other support connector 62 (61). And the base end part of the conduit | pipe 80 interposed between faucet related apparatuses is performed to the branch connection port 71 provided in the one side of the branch joint 70.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Here, the installation position of the faucet-related equipment is generally selected according to the situation of the installation location of the hot and cold water mixing faucets such as the kitchen, the washroom, and the bathroom, and the user's preference. For example, in the sink 5 shown in FIG. 3, there is an empty space only at the right side 5a of the faucet body 11, and it is necessary to install faucet-related equipment (not shown) in this empty space. is there.
[0004]
However, in the illustrated example, a branch joint 70 is added to the hot water side located on the left side, and the branch connection port 71 is directed in the opposite direction to the installation site of the faucet related device. For this reason, the base end side of the conduit 80 is bent in an inverted shape and connected to the branch connection port 71, and the conduit 80 is connected to the water-side support connector 62 and the straight pipe as shown by a dashed line D in the figure. While avoiding interference with the joint 75 and the like, it is necessary to draw the lower part of the faucet body 11 in a complicated manner to reach the right side portion 5a. Therefore, for example, the middle part of the conduit 80 hangs down below the faucet body 11 and the like, and the aesthetics of the installation location of the hot and cold water mixing faucet 10 are greatly impaired. Further, since the branch joint 70 and the straight pipe joint 75 constitute one set of branch connectors, the number of independent parts is large, and handling such as transportation, storage, and packaging is complicated.
[0005]
In addition, in this kind of branch joint 70, it is possible to rotate the whole and to direct the said branch connection port 71 to another direction (refer the branch connection port 72 of the dashed-dotted line of FIG. 3). In this case, by directing the branch connection port 72 to the installation site of the faucet-related device, the conduit 80 can be routed without being greatly bent. This conduit 80 is connected to the water-side support connector 62 or There is no change in that it is necessary to reach the right side portion 5a while avoiding interference with the straight pipe joint 75 or the like.
[0006]
Moreover, in this kind of branch joint 70, the water stopcock 81 may be interposed between the conduits 80 as shown in FIG. When the branch connection port 72 directed to the faucet-related device is used, it is necessary to dispose the stop cock 81 in the empty space between the branch joint 70 and the straight pipe joint 75. However, since this empty space is narrow and exists behind the faucet body 11, it is difficult to arrange the faucet 81 itself, or even if it can be arranged, the faucet 81 can be smoothly installed. Operability may not be ensured.
[0007]
Each of the present inventions has been made in view of such a situation, and the purpose thereof is not to significantly impair the aesthetics of the installation location of the hot and cold water mixing faucet by the conduit to the faucet related equipment, It is an object of the present invention to provide a branch connector that is easy to handle such as transportation, storage, and packaging, and that can be arranged with a faucet with a conduit without any trouble.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
First, the invention of claim 1 is “a branch connector interposed between a faucet body of a hot and cold water mixing faucet and a terminal part of a water pipe, and a hot water side for supplying hot water to the faucet body. A hot water side joint portion provided with a communication channel and a water side joint portion provided with a water side communication channel for supplying water to the faucet body are integrally provided, and the hot water side communication channel or water side communication is provided. A branch connector provided with a branch channel on one side of the channel, and provided with a branch connection port constituting the release portion of the branch channel on both the hot water side joint and the water side joint. It is.
[0009]
In the present invention, a release portion for releasing the branch flow path outside the branch connector, that is, a branch connection port is provided in both the hot water side joint portion and the water side joint portion. For this reason, even if the faucet-related device is installed at any position around the faucet body, the faucet-related device and the branch connector can be connected without complicatedly routing the conduit. That is, if the base end of the conduit is connected to the branch connection port of the joint on the side where the faucet-related equipment is installed, there is no need to consider interference between this conduit and the other joint, etc. It is not necessary to route this conduit around the faucet body. Moreover, since the conduit can be connected to the joint portion on the installation location side of the faucet-related device in this way, the overall length of the conduit can be shortened. Therefore, the aesthetic appearance of the place where the hot and cold water mixing faucet is installed is not greatly damaged by the conduit.
[0010]
In addition, in this branch connector, the hot water side joint and water side joint are integrated into one article, so the number of independent parts is small and handling such as transportation, storage, and packaging is handled. Becomes easy. In the present invention, even if the hot water side joint portion and the water side joint portion are integrally provided as one article by casting or injection molding, a plurality of parts formed separately are integrated into one article. Also good. Furthermore, in this branch connector, when the stop cock is interposed between the branch connection port and the base end portion of the conduit, it is not necessary to place the stop cock between the joint portions. The stopper is easily arranged and the smooth operability of the stop cock can be ensured.
[0011]
Here, examples of the “water faucet related device” to be connected to the branch connector include a dishwasher / dryer, a dishwasher, a washing machine, and a water treatment device. In this water treatment device, (1) from the tap water supplied from the end of the water-side water pipe, unnecessary components such as “calky” and harmful components such as chlorine and trihalomethane are removed to purify the water. "Water purifier" that performs purification processes such as "," (2) "Water quality converter" that converts similar tap water into alkaline ion water or acidic ion water, or converts it into hard water or soft water, (3) "Ingredient adder" that adds and processes beneficial components such as minerals to similar tap water, (4) Water purifiers, water quality converters, or those equipped with at least two functions of component adders It can be illustrated.
[0012]
Next, the invention of claim 2 states that “the branch connection port provided in the hot water side joint portion is directed toward the anti-water side joint portion, and the branch connection port provided in the water side joint portion is directed to the anti-water side joint portion. The branch connector according to claim 1, wherein the branch connector is directed to the side.
[0013]
The branch connector of the invention of claim 2 is particularly preferably used when a faucet related device is installed on the hot water side joint part side or the water side joint part side. That is, in the invention of claim 1, the direction in which the branch connection port of the hot water side joint portion and the branch connection port of the water side joint portion are directed is not limited, but each branch connection port is directed upward or downward. In order to install a faucet-related device on the side, it is necessary to bend around the conduit and to connect a fitting such as an elbow that bends the flow path.
[0014]
On the other hand, in the invention of claim 2, since the branch connection port provided in one joint part is directed in the opposite direction of the other joint part, the branch connection port directed in the direction of the installation site of the faucet related device is provided. If used, the branch connection port and the faucet-related device can be connected via the conduit without bending the conduit or interposing a connector such as an elbow.
[0015]
Next, the invention of claim 3 is as follows: “A support connection for connecting the faucet body and the terminal portion of the water pipe and supporting the faucet body between the faucet body and the terminal portion of the water pipe” 3. A branch connector according to claim 1, wherein a tool is disposed and interposed between the support connector and the faucet body.
[0016]
In invention of Claim 1 or 2, the branch connector of the aspect connected to the terminal part of water supply piping is included. However, in this aspect, the following problems occur when retrofitting a branch connector to an existing hot and cold water mixing faucet. In general, the connection between the terminal portion of the water pipe and other members requires a complicated operation such as screwing of a taper screw through a seal tape, and a special operation by a pipe specialist or the like is required.
[0017]
On the other hand, the faucet body and the support connector are connected by a simple operation using a cap nut or a known one-touch joint. Therefore, if the branch connector is interposed between the faucet body and the support connector as in the present invention, the branch connector can be connected by a simple operation. Therefore, even if the worker is a general person other than a specialist, the branch connector can be easily retrofitted. In addition, it is desirable that the “supporting connector” in the invention of claim 3 is provided with a water stop cock. This is because it is not necessary to manually operate the original stop cock of the water supply pipe when the branch connector is retrofitted with the support connector provided with the stop cock.
[0018]
Finally, the invention of claim 4 is as follows: "A connecting pipe constituting the branch flow path is interposed between the hot water side joint portion and the water side joint portion, and at least one of the hot water side joint portion or the water side joint portion is provided. The branch connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that is slidable along the axis of the connecting pipe.
[0019]
Generally, the pitch between the hot water side connection port and the water side connection port provided in the faucet body, and the pitch between the hot water side and the end of the water side water pipe, the type of hot water mixing faucet, It depends on the construction status. On the other hand, in the invention of claim 4, various adjustments can be made by adjusting the distance between the hot water side joint part and the water side joint part by sliding the hot water side joint part or the water side joint part with respect to the connecting pipe. It can correspond to the pitch.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, a specific example of the branch connector 20 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The branch connector 20 is applied to a hot and cold water mixing faucet 10 installed on the wall surface 2 above the sink. The hot and cold water mixing faucet 10 is a valve device (driven by a single operation unit 14). A faucet body 11 is provided. The faucet body 11 has a pair of hot and water side support connectors 61 and 62 and a main branch connector 20 with respect to the end portions 6a and 6b of the pair of water pipes on the hot water side and the water side. And are connected with each other interposed.
[0021]
In addition, a parallel female screw is engraved in each terminal part 6a, 6b, and a taper male screw is engraved in the connection port 63, 64 of the base end side of each support connector 61,62. In addition, the connection and fixing of the support connectors 61 and 62 to the terminal portions 6a and 6b is performed by screwing a taper screw through a seal tape. Furthermore, each support connection tool 61, 62 is provided with stop cocks 66, 66. The main branch connector 20 is interposed between the faucet body 11 and the support connectors 61 and 62 according to the invention of claim 3. However, in each invention other than the third aspect, the branch connector 20 can be connected between the terminal portions 6a and 6b and the support connectors 61 and 62.
[0022]
A hot water side connection port 12 and a water side connection port 13 are provided on the back surface of the faucet body 11, and cap nuts 15, 16 are rotatably attached to these connection ports 12, 13. .
[0023]
The branch connector 20 includes a connecting pipe 41 configured in a straight tube shape, and a hot water side externally fitted in a slidable manner along the axis of the connecting pipe 41 with respect to the one end 43 side of the connecting pipe 41. The joint part 21 and the water side joint part 31 externally fitted in a fixed state to the other end part 44 side of the connecting pipe 41 are provided.
[0024]
For example, each of the joint portions 21 and 31 on the hot water side and the water side is formed by subjecting a base material made of a casting of the same shape or the like to different processing in detail. Also, open portions are provided on the four sides of the back, front, and both sides. That is, the hot water side joint portion 21 is provided with a hot water inlet 22 on the back surface, a hot water outlet 23 on the front surface, a first branch connection port 24 on one side surface, and a connecting port 25 on the other side surface. In addition, a cap nut 26 is rotatably attached to the hot water inlet 22, and a female screw is engraved in each of the hot water outlet 23 and the first branch connection port 24. Furthermore, a screw hole 27 penetrating from the outer surface to the inner surface is provided on the end portion side of the connection port 25. On the other hand, the water side joint portion 31 is provided with a water inlet 32 on the back, a water outlet 33 on the front, a second branch connection port 34 on one side, and a connection port 35 on the other side. In addition, a cap nut 36 is rotatably attached to the water inlet 32, a female screw is provided in each of the water outlet 33 and the second branch connection port 34, and a female screw 38 is provided in the connection port 35. Is engraved.
[0025]
In this branch connector 20, the hot water side joint part 21 and the water side joint part 31 are integrated using the connection pipe 41 in a state where the connection ports 25 and 35 face each other. That is, the one end portion 43 of the connecting pipe 41 is inserted into the hot water side joint portion 21 through the connecting port 25. At this time, the water tightness between the outer peripheral surface on the one end portion 43 side and the inner wall surface of the hot water side joint portion 21 is ensured by a seal member 45 such as an O-ring. Further, a concave portion 47 is provided on the outer peripheral surface on the one end portion 43 side of the connecting pipe 41, and a distal end portion of the set screw 28 screwed into the screw hole 27 is reached in the concave portion 47. The set screw 28 restricts the sliding range of the hot water side joint portion 21 and prevents the connecting pipe 41 from coming off from the hot water side joint portion 21.
[0026]
On the other hand, the other end 44 of the connecting pipe 41 is inserted into the water side joint 31 through the connecting port 35, and the male screw 48 of the connecting pipe 41 is inserted into the female inside the connecting port 35 of the water side joint 31. The screw 38 is screwed into a fixed state. However, in the invention of claim 4, the water side joint portion 31 may be slidable along the axis of the connecting pipe 41, and both the hot water side and the water side joint portions 21, 31 are connected to the connecting pipe 41. It may be slidable along the axis.
[0027]
Even when the other end portion 44 is inserted into the water side joint portion 31, the water tightness between the outer peripheral surface on the other end portion 44 side and the inner wall surface of the water side joint portion 31 is a seal such as an O-ring. Secured by member 46. Further, the other end portion 44 of the connecting pipe 41 communicates with the water-side joint section 31 so as to partition the internal space of the water-side joint section 31 into a space portion inside the connecting pipe 41 and a space portion outside the connecting pipe 41. It is inserted through the flow path 52 to the heel end side, and communicates with only the second branch connection port 34 among the connection ports (32 to 34) provided in the water side joint portion 31. .
[0028]
Next, the flow path configuration of the branch connector 20 will be described. A hot water-side communication channel 51 for supplying hot water supplied from the terminal portion 6a of the hot water-side water supply pipe to the faucet body 11 has a hot water inlet 22 at the start portion as shown by a broken line A in FIG. And the hot water outlet 23 is formed as a terminal portion. Further, the water-side communication channel 52 for supplying water supplied from the terminal portion 6b of the water-side water supply pipe to the faucet body 11 has a water inlet 32 as shown by a one-dot chain line B in FIG. Is the starting end and the water outlet 33 is the end. Further, the hot water-side communication channel 51 includes a branch channel 53 that branches to both sides of the branch connector 20 as indicated by a two-dot chain line C in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the branch channel 53 includes a first path 54 opened to one side of the branch connector 20 through the first branch connection port 24, and an internal space of the connection pipe 41. And a second path 55 opened to the other side of the main branch connector 20 through the second branch connection port 34.
[0029]
In each of the present inventions, unlike the present example, a branch channel can be provided in the water-side communication channel 52. In this case, for example, the top and bottom of the branch connector 20 are reversed, the hot water side joint portion 21 is disposed on the water side and this is used as the water side joint portion, and the water side joint portion 31 is disposed on the hot water side. What is necessary is just to make this a hot water side joint part.
[0030]
In the branch connector 20, the hot water inlet 22 and the water inlet 32 are connected to the terminal-side connection ports 67 and 68 of the hot water and water side support connectors 61 and 62 using the cap nuts 26 and 37. Connected. Further, the hot water outlet 23 and the water outlet 33 are connected to the connection ports 12 and 13 of the faucet body 11 using the cap nuts 15 and 16, respectively, and the branch connector 20 is connected to the faucet body 11 in a support connection. It is interposed between the tools 61 and 62.
[0031]
In this intervening operation, it is necessary to match the pitch between the hot water outlet 23 and the water outlet 33 with the pitch between both the connection ports 12 and 13 of the faucet body 11. For this reason, in this branch connector 20, by adjusting the distance between the hot water side joint part 21 and the water side joint part 31 by sliding the hot water side joint part 21 along the axis of the connecting pipe 41, The pitch between the hot water outlet 23 and the water outlet 33 is adjusted. Further, during the intervening operation of the branch connector 20, the valve closing operation is performed on the stop cocks 66 and 66 of the support connectors 61 and 62.
[0032]
In the case where hot water is supplied to a faucet-related device (for example, a dishwasher or the like) installed on one side of the faucet body 11 (on the left side in the illustrated example) by the branch connector 20, FIG. As shown, the proximal end portion of the conduit 80 may be connected to the first branch connection port 24, and the end portion of the conduit 80 may be connected to the faucet related device. At this time, a stop cock 81 is disposed in the conduit 80 as necessary. In addition, a sealing cap 82 and the like are attached to the second branch connection port 34 that is not in use in a watertight manner via a seal member (not shown).
[0033]
On the other hand, when supplying hot water to a faucet-related device installed on the other side (right side in the example) of the faucet body 11, the base end of the conduit 80 is connected to the second branch connection port. The sealing cap 82 and the like are attached to the first branch connection port 24 in a watertight manner. However, faucet-related devices are installed on both sides of the faucet body 11, and the first branch connection port 24 and the faucet-related device installed on one side of the faucet body 11 are connected via the conduit 80. In addition to the connection, the second branch connection port 34 and the faucet-related device installed on the other side of the faucet body 11 can also be connected via another conduit 80.
[0034]
In addition, in a form in which it is difficult to discriminate the flow path branched at first glance like the branch connector 20 of this example, for example, as shown in FIG. At the mouth (ie, hot water inlet 22, hot water outlet 23, first branch connection port 24, second branch connection port 34) and water side connection ports (ie, water inlet 32, water outlet 33) A mark 85 or 86 having at least one of shape, color, or pattern is different, a predetermined mark is given only to one of the hot water side connection port or the water side connection port, or an arrow It is preferable to clearly indicate the flow path to be branched, for example, by displaying the flow path direction using a line diagram or the like.
[0035]
In each of the present inventions, as described above, the internal space of the water side joint part 31 or the hot water side joint part 21 is divided into a water side or hot water side communication channel (51 or 52) and a branch channel 53. is required. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 2, the connecting pipe 41 (the other end 44) is passed through the communication channel (51 or 52) and the inner space is partitioned by the connecting pipe 41. A separate partition wall may be provided inside the side joint part 31 or the hot water side joint part 21 to partition the communication channel (51 or 52) and the branch channel 53. Further, each of the present invention can be applied to a hot and cold water mixing faucet disposed on a surface other than the wall surface 2 (for example, a deck surface), unlike the present example.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to each of the present inventions, the conduit for the faucet-related equipment does not greatly impair the aesthetics of the place where the hot and cold water mixing faucet is installed, and handling, storage, packaging, etc. are easy. A branch connector is obtained in which a water stop cock can be disposed between the conduit and the conduit without any trouble.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a branch connector according to each invention.
2 is a vertical sectional view of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view for explaining a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
2; wall surface, 5; sink, 5a; right side portion, 6a, 6b; terminal portion of water pipe, 10; faucet mixing tap, 11; faucet body, 12, 13; connection port, 14; 15, 16; cap nut, 20; branch connector, 21; hot water side joint, 22; hot water inlet, 23; hot water outlet, 24; first branch connection port, 25; coupling port, 26; , 27; screw hole, 28; set screw, 31; water side joint, 32; water inlet, 33; water outlet, 34; second branch connection port, 35; coupling port, 36; cap nut, 38; Screw 41, connecting pipe 43, one end 44, the other end 45, 46, sealing member 47, recess 48, male screw 51, hot water side communication channel 52, water side communication flow Path, 53; branch flow path, 54; first path, 55; second path, 61, 62; support fittings, 63, 64; Stop port, 66; Stop cock, 67, 68; Terminal side connection port, 70; Branch joint, 71; Branch connection port, 72; Other branch connection port, 75; Straight pipe joint, 80: Conduit, 81; Stop cock, 82; sealing cap, 85, 86;

Claims

A branch connector interposed between the faucet body of the hot and cold water faucet and the terminal part of the water pipe,
A hot water side joint portion having a hot water side communication channel for supplying hot water to the faucet body and a water side joint portion having a water side communication channel for supplying water to the faucet body are provided integrally,
A branch flow path is provided in one of the hot water side communication flow path or the water side communication flow path, and a branch connection port constituting the release portion of the branch flow path is provided in both the hot water side joint portion and the water side joint portion. A branch connector characterized by being provided.

The branch connection port provided in the hot water side joint is directed to the anti-water side joint, and the branch connection port provided in the water side joint is directed to the anti-water side joint. Item 12. The branch connector according to Item 1.

Between the faucet body and the terminal part of the water pipe, there is disposed a support connector for connecting the faucet body and the terminal part of the water pipe and supporting the faucet body. The branch connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the branch connector is interposed between the stopper body.

A connecting pipe constituting the branch flow path is interposed between the hot water side joint part and the water side joint part, and at least one of the hot water side joint part or the water side joint part is slid along the axis of the connecting pipe. The branch connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the branch connector is movable.